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Woman and boy arrested in school bike thefts, third suspect still at large

August 30, 2012 | 4:18
pm

A woman and a boy, who authorities say stole several bicycles from the campus of Highland High School in Lancaster this week, were caught while trying to take more bikes, authorities said.

According to a statement from the Lancaster sheriff’s station, the suspects stole numerous bicycles from bike racks at various locations on the school’s campus at 39055 25th St. West in Lancaster.

One of the thefts was captured by the campus’ video surveillance system and a victim, who also witnessed the thefts, was able to provide a general description of the suspects and their car, authorities said.

Lancaster sheriff’s officials identified one suspect as Leslie Reyes, 21. Authorities are not permitted to identify the boy because he is a juvenile. Authorities only know the last name of a third suspect, Rodriguez, and he is still at large, said Sgt. Carl Thomas, a sheriff’s spokesman.

“That’s all we have right now,” Thomas said.

According to Thomas’ written report, the initial thefts took place Monday. Then on Wednesday, a resource deputy assigned to the campus of Highland High School saw a car being driven on campus that matched the vehicle described in the thefts, authorities said.

Thomas said the deputy saw the vehicle drive toward a bicycle rack and stop.

“He saw Rodriguez exit the vehicle with a pair of bolt cutters and approach the rack,” Thomas said.

When Rodriguez saw the deputy driving toward him, he ran back to the car and jumped in, authorities said. The deputy stopped the vehicle and detained Reyes and the juvenile. Rodriguez ran away and managed to evade law enforcement personnel who searched the area while the campus was placed on lockdown, Thomas said.

When authorities obtained a warrant to search Reyes’ home, they found several stripped bicycles, Thomas said.

Reyes and the juvenile were arrested on charges of grand theft and booked at the Lancaster station, Thomas said. Bail for Reyes was set at $20,000, according to information published by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.